Image forming system, image forming device, function setting method and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming devices with a plurality of functions relating to the image formation. An image forming device, to which an image input from one of the image forming devices is to be output can be selected from the image forming devices. The image forming devices designate either one of an automatic destination device selecting mode or an individual destination device selecting mode from inputting operation through an operating part, and acquire function information representing a plurality of functions relating to the image formation from the image forming devices with a CPU. The CPU controls the display of information about the functions relating to the image formation on an information input screen displayed on an LCD of the operating part according to the designated destination device selecting mode and the acquired function information.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/189,207filed Jul. 26, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/599,823 filed Jun. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,735.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming system wherein aplurality of image forming devices having a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation are connected to one another throughcommunication media, the image forming devices, a function settingmethod and a storage medium.

2. Description of Related Art

An image input means comprised of a scanner and an image output meanscomprised of a printer are ordinarily integrated in image formingdevices. In some image forming systems using such image forming devices,a plurality of image forming devices are connected to one anotherthrough communication media. In such systems, an image output means ofan image forming device forms an image inputted from an image inputmeans of another image forming device, or transfers an image inputtedfrom an image input means of another image forming device to an imageoutput means of still another image forming device through thecommunication media.

The image forming devices in such image forming systems have a varietyof functions relating to image formation such as a printing method, andhave an operation command input means for giving commands to set thesefunctions, a display means for displaying values of the functions set bythe operation command input means, and so forth. In each of the imageforming devices (hereinafter referred to as “the present image formingdevice), the functions relating to image formation can be set in anindividual destination device selecting mode for arbitrarily selecting adestination device, which is able to execute a desired function for animage inputted from an image input means of the present image formingdevice among the present image forming device and the other imageforming devices connected to the present image forming device throughthe communication media, and in an automatic destination deviceselecting mode for automatically selecting a destination device, whichis able to execute a desired function for an image inputted from animage input means of the present image forming device among the presentimage forming device and the other image forming devices connected tothe present image forming device through the communication media.

If the functions are set in the individual destination device selectingmode, information indicating each image forming device and informationindicating corresponding functions that can be executed by the indicatedimage forming device are displayed on an information input screen. Animage forming device that is able to execute a desired function isselected as the destination device by an inputting operation ofdesignating the image forming device as the destination device on theinformation input screen, and the selected image forming device executesthe desired function.

If the functions are set in the automatic destination device selectingmode, function information indicating all functions that can be executedrespectively by the image forming devices is displayed, and an imageforming device that is able to execute a desired function can beselected automatically by an inputting operation with reference toinformation representing the desired function in the functioninformation.

In the system that is capable of setting the functions relating to theimage formation in the individual destination device selecting mode orin the automatic destination device selecting mode, however, theinformation indicating each image forming device and the correspondinginformation indicating all the functions that can be executed by theindicated image forming device are displayed on a function settingscreen of the information input screen when the functions are set in theindividual destination device selecting mode. Thus, a large amount offunction information is displayed on the function setting screen, and itis, therefore, necessary to designate an image forming device from alarge amount of information displayed on the function setting screen,and to designate a desired function from the functions of the designatedimage forming device.

When the functions are set in the automatic destination device selectingmode, the information indicating all the functions that can be executedby the image forming devices is displayed on the function settingscreen. If many image forming devices are connected through thecommunication media, the function setting screen displays a large amountof function information. It is necessary to designate informationindicating a desired function from such a large amount of functioninformation.

Thus, the function setting screen displays a large amount of informationin both destination device selecting modes, and this deteriorates theoperability in setting the functions and causes errors in setting thefunctions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to provide an imageforming system, image forming devices, a function setting method, whichare capable of greatly enhancing the operability in setting functionsrelating to image formation in the individual destination deviceselecting mode and in the automatic destination device selecting mode,and a storage medium storing a program for executing the functionsetting method.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an imageforming system, image forming devices, a function setting method, whichare capable of greatly enhancing the operability in setting functionsrelating to image formation in the automatic destination deviceselecting mode, and a storage medium storing a program for executing thefunction setting method.

To attain the first object, the present invention provides an imageforming system which has a plurality of functions relating to imageformation and includes a plurality of image forming devices connectedthrough communication media, and wherein an image forming device isselected from the plurality of image forming devices as a destinationdevice for formation of an image inputted from one of the plurality ofimage forming devices, the image forming system comprising display meansfor displaying an information input screen for setting functionsrelating to the image formation, function setting input means forinputting information relating to setting of the functions on theinformation input screen, function information acquiring means foracquiring function information representing a plurality of functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming devices,destination device selecting mode designating means for designating oneof an automatic destination device selecting mode for automaticallyselecting an image forming device as a destination device among theplurality of image forming devices and an individual destination deviceselecting mode for arbitrarily selecting an image forming device as thedestination device, and display control means for controlling display ofinformation about the functions relating to the image formation on theinformation input screen according to the designated destination deviceselecting mode and the acquired function information.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode and in the automatic destination device selectingmode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the image forming system, if the individual destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, the display control means controlsthe display means in such a manner as to display, on the display means,an individual destination device selecting screen for selecting an imageforming device as the destination device among the image formingdevices, whereby an image forming device is selected as the destinationdevice according to inputting operation on the individual destinationdevice selecting screen.

Preferably, in the image forming system, if the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, the display control means findslogical sums of functions relating to the image formation of the imageforming devices with reference to the acquired function information andcontrols the display means in such a manner as to display, on theinformation input screen, function information relating to the functionsrelating to the image formation, the function information being acquiredfrom the found logical sums. With this construction, functions which canbe set in the automatic destination device selecting mode can be easilyrecognized, and an input operation of setting the functions can beeasily performed.

Also preferably, in the image forming system, if the individualdestination device selecting mode is designated, the display controlmeans controls the display means in such a manner as to display, on theinformation input screen, only function information representingfunctions relating to the image formation of the image forming deviceselected according to the individual destination device selecting modewith reference to the acquired function information. With thisconstruction, functions which can be set on the individual destinationdevice selecting mode can be easily recognized, and an input operationof setting the functions can be easily performed.

To attain the first object, the present invention provides an imageforming device having a plurality of functions relating to imageformation and being capable of selecting other image forming devicesconnected to the image forming device through communication media, as adestination device for an inputted image, the image forming devicecomprising display means for displaying an information input screen forsetting functions relating to the image formation, function settinginput means for performing an inputting operation relating to setting ofthe functions on the information input screen, function informationacquiring means for acquiring function information indicating functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming device and theother image forming devices, mode designating means for designating adestination device selecting mode between an automatic destinationdevice selecting mode for automatically selecting a destination deviceimage forming device from the image forming device and the other imageforming devices and an individual destination device selecting mode forarbitrarily selecting the destination device image forming device, anddisplay control means for controlling display of information about thefunctions relating to the image formation on the information inputscreen according to the designated destination device selecting mode andthe acquired function information.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode and in the automatic destination device selectingmode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the image forming device, if the individual destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, the display control means controlsthe display means in such a manner as to display an individualdestination device selecting screen for selecting an image formingdevice as the destination device among the image forming device and theother image forming devices on the display means, whereby an imageforming device is selected as the destination device according toinputting operation on the individual destination device selectingscreen.

Preferably, in the image forming device, if the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, the display control means findslogical sums of functions relating to the image formation of the imageforming devices with reference to the acquired function information andcontrols the display means in such a manner as to display functioninformation relating to the functions relating to the image formation,the function information being acquired from the found logical sums.With this construction, functions which can be set in the automaticdestination device selecting mode can be easily recognized, and an inputoperation of setting the functions can be easily performed.

Also preferably, in the image forming device, if the individualdestination device selecting mode is designated, the display controlmeans controls the display means in such a manner as to display, on theinformation input screen, only function information representing thefunctions relating to the image formation of the image forming deviceselected according to the individual destination device selecting modewith reference to the acquired function information. With thisconstruction, functions which can be set in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode can be easily recognized, and an input operationof setting the functions can be easily performed.

To attain the first object, the present invention provides a functionsetting method of setting functions of an image forming system includinga plurality of image forming devices having a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation and being connected to one another throughcommunication media, the image forming system being capable of selectingan image forming device from the plurality of image forming devices as adestination device for forming an image inputted from one of the imageforming devices, the method comprising the steps of acquiring functioninformation indicating a plurality of functions relating to the imageformation from the image forming devices, displaying an informationinput screen for setting the functions on display means, designating oneof an automatic destination device selecting mode for automaticallyselecting a destination device image forming device among the imageoutput devices and an individual destination device selecting mode forarbitrarily selecting an image forming device as the destination device,controlling display of information about the functions relating to theimage formation on the information input screen according to thedesignated destination device selecting mode and the acquired functioninformation, and performing an inputting operation relating to settingof the functions on the information input screen.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode and in the automatic destination device selectingmode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the function setting method, if the individualdestination device selecting mode is designated, the display means iscontrolled in such a manner as to display an individual destinationdevice selecting screen for selecting an image forming device as thedestination device among the image forming device on the display means,whereby an image forming device is selected as the destination deviceaccording to the inputting operation on the individual destinationdevice selecting screen.

Preferably, in the function setting method, if the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, logical sums of functions relatingto the image formation of the image forming devices are found withreference to the acquired function information and the display means iscontrolled in such a manner as to display, on the information inputscreen, function information relating to the functions relating to theimage formation, the function information being acquired from the foundlogical sums. With this construction, functions which can be set in theautomatic destination device selecting mode can be easily recognized,and an input operation of setting the functions can be easily performed.

Also preferably, in the function setting method, if the individualdestination device selecting mode is designated, the display means iscontrolled in such a manner as to display, on the information inputscreen, only function information representing the functions relating tothe image formation of the image forming device selected according tothe individual destination device selecting mode with reference to theacquired function information. With this construction, functions whichcan be set in the individual destination device selecting mode can beeasily recognized, and an input operation of setting the functions canbe easily performed.

To attain the first object, the present invention provides a storagemedium that can be read by a computer containing a program for settingfunctions on an image forming system, which has a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation and includes a plurality of image formingdevices connected through communication media, and wherein an imageforming device is selected from the image forming devices as adestination device for formation of an image inputted from one of theplurality of image forming devices, the program comprising a functionsetting input module for displaying an information input screen forsetting functions relating to the image formation on display means andperforming an inputting operation relating to setting of the functionson the information input screen, a function information acquiring modulefor acquiring function information representing a plurality of functionsrelating to the image formation from the plurality of image formingdevices, a selecting mode designating module for designating anautomatic destination device selecting mode for automatically selectingan image forming device as a destination device among the plurality ofimage forming devices or an individual destination device selecting modefor arbitrarily selecting an image forming device as the destinationdevice, and a display control module for controlling display ofinformation about the functions relating to the image formation on theinformation input screen according to the designated destination deviceselecting mode and the acquired function information.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode and in the automatic destination device selectingmode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the storage medium, if the individual destination deviceselecting mode is designated, the display control module controls thedisplay means in such a manner as to display, on the display means, anindividual destination device selecting screen for selecting an imageforming device as the destination device among the plurality of imageforming devices, whereby an image forming device is selected as thedestination device according to inputting operation on the individualdestination device selecting screen.

Preferably, in the storage medium, if the automatic destination deviceselecting mode is designated, the display control module finds logicalsums of functions relating to the image formation of the image formingdevices with reference to the acquired function information and controlsthe display means in such a manner as to display, on the informationinput screen, function information about the functions relating to theimage formation, the function information being acquired from the foundlogical sums. With this construction, functions which can be set in theautomatic destination device selecting mode can be easily recognized,and an input operation of setting the functions can be easily performed.

Also preferably, in the storage medium, if the individual destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, the display control module controlsthe display means in such a manner as to display, on the informationinput screen, only function information representing functions relatingto the image formation of the image forming device selected according tothe individual destination device selecting mode with reference to theacquired function information. With this construction, functions whichcan be set in the individual destination device selecting mode can beeasily recognized, and an input operation of setting the functions canbe easily performed.

To attain the second object, the present invention provies an imageforming system which has a plurality of functions relating to imageformation and includes a plurality of image forming devices connectedthrough communication media, and wherein an image forming device isselected from the plurality of image forming devices as a destinationdevice for formation of an image inputted from one of the plurality ofimage forming devices, the image forming system comprising display meansfor displaying an information input screen for setting functionsrelating to the image formation, function setting input means forinputting information relating to setting of the functions on theinformation input screen, function information acquiring means foracquiring function information representing a plurality of functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming devices,selecting mode designating means for designating an automaticdestination device selecting mode for automatically selecting an imageforming device as a destination device among the image forming devices,and control means for selecting an image forming device, which is ableto execute a function set on the information input screen, as thedestination device according to the acquired function information anddisplaying information about the selected image forming device on theinformation input screen, if the automatic destination device selectingmode is designated.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the image forming system, if the automatic destinationdevice is designated, the control means is operable whenever a functionis set on the information input screen, to select an image formingdevice, which is able to execute the set function.

Preferably, the image forming system further comprises priorityinformation storing means for storing priority information with respectto the image forming devices, and wherein the control means selects animage forming device, which is able to execute a function set on theinformation input screen, according to the acquired function informationwith reference to the priority information if the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is designated.

Also preferably, in the image forming system, the information relatingto the selected image forming device includes information indicating allfunctions that can be executed by the selected image forming devices.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides an imageforming device having a plurality of functions relating to imageformation and being capable of selecting other image forming devicesconnected to the image forming device through communication media, as adestination device for an inputted image, the image forming devicecomprising display means for displaying an information input screen forsetting functions relating to the image formation, function settinginput means for performing an inputting operation relating to setting ofthe functions on the information input screen, function informationacquiring means for acquiring function information indicating functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming device and theother image forming devices, mode designating means for designating anautomatic destination device selecting mode for automatically selectingan image forming device as a destination device from the image formingdevice and the other image forming devices, and control means forselecting an image forming device, which is able to execute a functionset on the information input screen, as the destination device accordingto the acquired function information and displaying information aboutthe selected image forming device on the information input screen, ifthe automatic destination device selecting mode is designated.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the image forming device, if the automatic destinationdevice is designated, the control means is operable whenever a functionis set on the information input screen, to select an image formingdevice, which is able to execute the set function.

Preferably, the image forming device further comprises priorityinformation storing means for storing priority information with respectto the image forming devices, and wherein the control means selects animage forming device, which is able to execute a function set on theinformation input screen, according to the acquired priority informationif the automatic destination device selecting mode is designated.

Also preferably, in the image forming device, the information relatingto the selected image forming device includes information indicating allfunctions that can be executed by the selected image forming device.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides a functionsetting method of setting functions of an image forming system includinga plurality of image forming devices having a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation and being connected to one another throughcommunication media, the image forming system being capable of selectingan image forming device from the plurality of image forming devices as adestination device for forming an image inputted from one of the imageforming devices, the method comprising the steps of acquiring functioninformation indicating a plurality of functions relating to the imageformation from the image forming devices, displaying an informationinput screen for setting the functions on display means, and setting thefunctions, designating an automatic destination device selecting modefor automatically selecting a destination image forming device from theplurality of image forming devices, and selecting an image formingdevice, which is able to execute a function set on the information inputscreen, as the destination device according to the acquired functioninformation, and controlling the display means in such a manner as todisplay information about the selected image forming device on theinformation input screen, if the automatic destination device selectingmode is designated.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the function setting method, if the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is designated, whenever a function is set on theinformation input screen, an image forming device, which is able toexecute the set function, is selected.

Preferably, the function setting method further comprises the step ofstoring priority information with respect to the image forming devicesin storage means, and wherein an image forming device, which is able toexecute a function set on the information input screen, is selectedaccording to the acquired function information if the automaticdestination device selecting mode is designated.

Also preferably, in the function setting method, the informationrelating to the selected image forming device includes informationindicating all functions that can be executed by the selected imageforming device.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides a storagemedium that can be read by a computer containing a program for settingfunctions on an image forming system, which has a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation and includes a plurality of image formingdevices connected through communication media, and wherein an imageforming device is selected from the image forming devices as adestination device for formation of an image inputted from one of theplurality of image forming devices, the program comprising a functionsetting input module for displaying an information input screen forsetting functions relating to the image formation on display means andperforming an inputting operation relating to setting of the functionson the information input screen, a function information acquiring modulefor acquiring function information representing a plurality of functionsrelating to the image formation from the plurality of image formingdevices, a mode designating module for designating an automaticdestination device selecting mode for automatically selecting an imageforming device as a destination device among the plurality of imageforming devices, a destination device selecting module for selecting animage forming device, which is able to execute a function set on theinformation input screen, as the destination device, according to theacquired function information if the automatic destination deviceselecting mode is designated, and a display control module fordisplaying information about the selected image forming device on theinformation input screen.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the storage medium, if the automatic destination deviceis designated, the destination device selecting module is operablewhenever a function is set on the information input screen, to select animage forming device, which is able to execute the set function.

Preferably, in the storage medium, the program further comprisespriority information storing means for storing priority information withrespect to the image forming devices, and wherein the destination deviceselecting module selects an image forming device, which is able toexecute a function set on the information input screen, according to theacquired function information with reference to the priority informationif the automatic destination device selecting mode is designated.

Also preferably, in the storage medium, the information about theselected image forming device includes information indicating allfunctions that can be executed by the selected image forming device.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides an imageforming system which has a plurality of functions relating to imageformation and includes a plurality of image forming devices connectedthrough communication media, and wherein an image forming device isselected from the plurality of image forming devices as a destinationdevice for formation of an image inputted from one of the plurality ofimage forming devices, the image forming system comprising display meansfor displaying an information input screen for setting functionsrelating to the image formation, function setting input means forinputting information relating to setting of the functions on theinformation input screen, function information acquiring means foracquiring function information representing a plurality of functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming devices,selecting mode designating means for designating an automaticdestination device selecting mode for automatically selecting an imageforming device as a destination device among the image forming devices,and control means for sampling an image forming device, which is able toexecute a function currently set on the information input screen, as aprospective destination device according to the acquired functioninformation and displaying information about functions relating to thesampled image forming device on the information input screen, if theautomatic destination device selecting mode is designated.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the image forming system, when the information about thefunctions relating to the sampled image forming device is displayed onthe display means, the function setting input means makes settable onlya function that can be executed by the sampled image forming device.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides an imageforming device having a plurality of functions relating to imageformation and being capable of selecting other image forming devicesconnected to the image forming device through communication media, as adestination device for an inputted image, the image forming devicecomprising display means for displaying an information input screen forsetting functions relating to the image formation, function settinginput means for performing an inputting operation relating to setting ofthe functions on the information input screen, function informationacquiring means for acquiring function information indicating functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming device and theother image forming devices, mode designating means for designating anautomatic destination device selecting mode for automatically selectingan image forming device as a destination device from the image formingdevice and the other image forming devices, and control means forsampling an image forming device, which is able to execute a functioncurrently set on the information input screen, as a prospectivedestination device according to the acquired function information anddisplaying information about functions relating to the sampled imageforming device on the information input screen, if the automaticdestination device selecting mode is designated.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably in the image forming device, when the information about thefunctions relating to the sampled image forming device is displayed onthe display means, the function setting input means makes settable onlya function that can be executed by the sampled image forming device.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides a functionsetting method of setting functions of an image forming system includinga plurality of image forming devices having a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation and being connected to one another throughcommunication media, the image forming system being capable of selectingan image forming device from the plurality of image forming devices as adestination device for forming an image inputted from one of the imageforming devices, the method comprising the steps of acquiring functioninformation indicating a plurality of functions relating to the imageformation from the image forming devices, displaying an informationinput screen for setting the functions on display means, performing aninputting operation relating setting of the functions on the informationinput screen, designating an automatic destination device selecting modefor automatically selecting a destination image forming device from theplurality of image forming devices, and sampling an image formingdevice, which is able to execute a function currently set on theinformation input screen, as a prospective destination device accordingto the acquired function information and displaying information aboutfunctions relating to the sampled image forming device on theinformation input screen, if the automatic destination device selectingmode is designated.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the function setting method, the step of performing theinputting operation comprises making settable only a function that canbe executed by the sampled image forming device when the informationabout the functions relating to the sampled image forming device isdisplayed on the display means.

To attain the second object, the present invention provides a storagemedium that can be read by a computer containing a program for settingfunctions on an image forming system, which has a plurality of functionsrelating to image formation and includes a plurality of image formingdevices connected through communication media, and wherein an imageforming device is selected from the image forming devices as adestination device for formation of an image inputted from one of theplurality of image forming devices, the program comprising a functionsetting input module for displaying an information input screen forsetting functions relating to the image formation on display means andperforming an inputting operation relating to setting of the functionson the information input screen, a function information acquiring modulefor acquiring function information representing a plurality of functionsrelating to the image formation from the image forming devices, aselecting mode designating module for designating an automaticdestination device selecting mode for automatically selecting an imageforming device as a destination device among the image forming devices,and a prospective destination device sampling module for sampling animage forming device, which is able to execute a function currently seton the information input screen, as a prospective destination deviceaccording to the acquired function information, if the automaticdestination device selecting mode is designated, and a display controlmodule for displaying information about functions relating to thesampled image forming device on the information input screen.

According to the above construction, the operability in settingfunctions relating to image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode can be greatly enhanced.

Preferably, in the storage medium, when the information about thefunctions relating to the sampled image forming device is displayed onthe display means, the function setting input module makes settable onlya function that can be executed by the sampled image forming device.

To attain the first object, the present invention provides an apparatusfor transmitting image data to one of image forming apparatus comprisingselecting means having a first mode in which one of the plurality ofimage forming apparatus is selected in accordance with a designation ofan individual image forming apparatus by an operator, and a second modein which one of the plurality of image forming apparatus is selectedwithout a designation for an individual image forming apparatus by theoperator, and display control means for controlling a display means,wherein in the first mode, the display control means controls thedisplay means in a manner such that at least one function that isexecutable by a currently selected one of the plurality of image formingapparatus is displayed on a screen for setting functions, while at leastone function that is not executable by the currently selected one of theplurality of image forming apparatus is not displayed on the screen ordisplayed on the screen in a manner that it can be recognized by theoperator as not being executable by the currently selected one of theplurality of image forming apparatus, and in the second mode, thedisplay control means controls the display means in a manner such thatat least one function that is executable by any of a plurality ofprospective destination image forming apparatus is displayed on thescreen, while at least one function that is not executable by any of theplurality of prospective destination image forming apparatus is notdisplayed on the screen or displayed on the screen in a manner that itcan be recognized by the operator as not being executable by any of theplurality of prospective destination image forming apparatus.

Preferably, the plurality of prospective destination image formingapparatus are ones of the plurality of image forming apparatus that canexecute at least one set function.

To attain the first object, the present invention provides an apparatusfor transmitting image data to one of image forming apparatus comprisingselecting means having a first mode in which one of the plurality ofimage forming apparatus is selected in accordance with a designation ofan individual image forming apparatus by an operator, and a second modein which one of the plurality of image forming apparatus is selectedwithout a designation for an individual image forming apparatus by theoperator, and display control means for controlling a display means,wherein in the second mode, the selecting means is responsive to aninstruction for setting a function, for again selecting one of theplurality of image forming apparatus that can execute the function, andthe display control means controls the display means to display a screencontaining information indicative of the again selected image formingapparatus.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image formingsystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image formingdevice 200 of the image forming system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the layout of an operating part 2012 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of the operating part2012 in FIG. 2 and peripheral parts thereof;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a function block for setting functions ofthe image forming device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of an initial operating screendisplayed on an LCD 2013;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a paper selecting screendisplayed on an LCD 2013;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a destination device designatingdisplay screen;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a screen display in the casewhere a destination device is designated in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode;

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a paper selecting screencorresponding to the destination device designated in the individualdestination device selecting mode;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure for displaying an operatingscreen of the image forming device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a function block for setting functions ofan image forming system according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an initialization screendisplayed on an LCD 2013 of the image forming system according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a two-sided copying functionsetting dialogue displayed on the LCD 2013;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a display screen displayed onthe LCD 2013 when a two-sided copying function is set;

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a finishing function settingdialogue displayed on the LCD 2013;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a screen when the finishingfunction setting dialogue on the LCD 2013 is closed;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a procedure for displaying an operatingscreen of the image forming system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a function block for setting functions ofan image forming system according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of an operating screen displayed onan LCD 2013 of the image forming system according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a paper selecting screendisplayed on the LCD 2013;

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a display screen displayed onthe LCD 2013 when the two-sided copying function is set;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a paper selecting screendisplayed on the LCD 2013 when the two-sided copying function is set;and

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing a procedure for displaying an operatingscreen of the image forming system according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image formingsystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system is comprised of imageforming devices 200, 220, 230 which are connected to one another througha LAN (local area network) 2011. The image forming device 200 has acontroller unit 2000, an operating part 2012 that functions as a user'sinterface, a scanner 2070 as an image input device, and a printer 2095as an image output device. The operating part 2012, the scanner 2070 andthe printer 2095 are connected to the controller unit 2000, whichcontrols the whole device 200 and is connected to the LAN 2011.Likewise, the respective image forming devices 220, 230 have controllerunits 2200, 2300; operating parts 2212, 2312; scanners 2270, 2370; andprinters 2295, 2395. The controller units 2200, 2300 of the respectiveimage forming devices 220, 230 are connected to the LAN 2011.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a description will now be given of theconstruction of the image forming device 200. FIG. 2 is a block diagramshowing the construction of the image forming device 200 in the imageforming system in FIG. 1. The other image forming devices 220, 230 willnot be described here since they have the same construction as the imageforming device 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device 200 has a controller unit2000 that connects with the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 andconnects with the LAN 2010 and a wide area network (WAN) 2051. Thecontroller unit 2000 controls the input/output of image information anddevice information in a copying function, a printer function of printingdata supplied from the outside through the LAN 2011, and a communicationfunction including a facsimile function using the WAN 2051. Thecontroller unit 2000 also controls the device 200 as a whole.

The controller unit 2000 has a CPU 2001 that activates the systemaccording to a boot program stored in a ROM 2003, and that reads controlprograms stored in a HDD (hard disk device) 2004 on this system toexecute predetermined processing using a RAM 2002 as a work area. TheHDD 2004 contains image data as well as the programs.

Connected to the CPU 2001 are the RAM 2002, the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004,an operating part I/F (operating part interface) 2006, a LAN I/F (LANinterface) 2010, a modem 2050, and an image bus I/F (image businterface) 2005 through a system bus 2007.

The operating part I/F 2006 is an interface that communicatesinformation to and from the operating part 2012. The operating part I/F2006 transfers image data to be displayed on the operating part 2012 tothe operating part 2012, transfers signals generated by an inputtingoperation on the operating part 2012 to the CPU 2001, and the like. Theoperating part 2012 has a display part for displaying an informationinput screen and the like for use in inputting current settingconditions of each function relating to image information and settinginformation about each function, an input part including keys and thelike for use in inputting setting information about each function, andso forth. The structure of the operating part 2012 will be describedlater in further detail.

The LAN I/F 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011, and inputs and outputsinformation through the LAN 2011. A modem 2050 is connected to the WAN2051, and inputs and outputs information through the WAN 2051. The imagebus I/F 2005 is comprised of a bus bridge that connects the image bus2008 with the system bus 2007 and converts a data structure. The imagebus 2008 is comprised of a PCI bus that is capable of transferring imagedata at a high speed or a bus that conforms to IEEE 1394 standards.

Connected to the image bus 2008 are a RIP (raster image processor) 2060,a device I/F (device interface) 2020, a scanner image processing part2080, a printer image processing part 2090, an image rotating part 2030and an image compressing part 2040.

The RIP 2060 develops a PDL code into a bit map image. The device I/F2020 connects the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 as imageinput/output devices to the controller unit 2000, and converts the imagedata into synchronous/asynchronous data. The device I/F 2020 isconnected to the scanner 2070 through a cable 2071, and is connected tothe printer 2095 through a cable 2096. The scanner image processing part2080 corrects, processes and edits the inputted image data. The printerimage processing part 2090 corrects the printer, converts resolution ofthe printer, and the like, for printed image data. The image rotatingpart 2030 rotates the image data. The image compressing part 2040performs JPEG compression/expansion for multivalued image data andperforms JBIG, MMR, MH compression/expansion for binary image data.

The CPU 2001 of the controller unit 2000 collectively controls access tothe devices connected to the system bus 2007 according to each controlprogram, and reads image information from the scanner 2070 through thedevice IF 2020. The CPU 2001 executes a predetermined processing for theread image information, and then outputs the image information to theprinter 2095 through the device I/F 2020.

Referring next to FIG. 3, a description will be given of the externalstructure of the image forming device 200. FIG. 3 is a perspective viewof the image forming device in FIG. 1. The other image forming devices220, 230 will not be described here since they have the same externalstructure as the image forming device 200.

As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 are integrallyincorporated into the image forming device 200, and the scanner 2070 hasthe operating part 2012.

The scanner 2070 illuminates images on manuscripts and scans a CCD linesensor (not shown) to thereby read the images on the manuscripts. Thescanner 2070 converts the read images into raster images byphotoelectric conversion. The manuscripts are set on a tray 2073 of amanuscript feeder 2070. When a user gives a reading starting commandthrough the operating part 2012, the CPU 2001 of the controller unit2000 (FIG. 2) instructs the scanner 2070 to read the manuscript. Inaccordance with the instruction of the CPU 2001, the manuscripts are fedone by one from the manuscript feeder 2071, and the images are read on amanuscript-by-manuscript basis.

The printer 2095 forms an image in such a manner as to convert rasterimage data transferred from the device I/F 2020 through the cable 2096into an image on paper. The image is formed by electrophotography, inwhich an electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning a laser on anelectrostatic latent image carrier such as a photosensitive drum and aphotosensitive belt according to the raster image data.Electrophotography is used in the present embodiment, but it is alsopossible to use another image formation method such as an ink-jetprinting method wherein an image is directly printed on paper by jettingan ink from micro nozzle arrays.

The printing is activated by a command from the CPU 2001 of thecontroller unit 2000 (FIG. 2). The printer has a plurality of paperfeeding sections in order to select different paper sizes or differentpaper directions. Paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, in which papersheets in different sizes are placed in different directions, aremounted in each paper feeding tray. The paper on which the image isformed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 2111.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the structureof the operating part 2012. FIG. 4 shows the layout of the operatingpart 2012 in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operating part 2012 has a liquid crystal display(hereinafter referred to as LCD) 2013 in that a touch panel sheet 2019is attached to a screen, and a plurality of hard keys. The LCD 2013displays a system operating screen and soft keys. In response to thedepression of the displayed soft keys, a positional information thereofis outputted to the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 2000 through theoperating part I/F 2006. A start key 2014, a stop key 2015, an ID key2016 and a reset key 2017 are provided as the hard keys. The start key2014 is used to give a command to start reading the manuscript image,and a two-color LED 2018 in green and red is attached to the center ofthe start key 2014. The two-color LED 2018 illuminated in red indicatesthat the depression of the start key 2014 will not be accepted. Thetwo-color LED 2018 illuminated in green indicates that the depression ofthe start key 2014 will be accepted. The stop key 2015 is used to stopthe actions being taken. The ID key 2016 is used to input a user's ID.The reset key 2017 is used to initialize the setting from the operatingpart 2012.

Referring next to FIGS. 5 and 6, a description will be given of thecontrol operation of the CPU 2001 with respect to the operating part2012. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the operatingpart 2012 in FIG. 2 and peripheral parts thereof. FIG. 6 is a diagramshowing a block function for setting functions of the image formingdevice in FIG. 2.

At the operating part 2012, the touch panel 2019 and the key groupcomposed of the hard keys 2014-2017 are connected to the CPU 2001through an input port 20061 of the operating part I/F 2006 as shown inFIG. 5. Positional information indicating the depressed position of thetouch panel 2019 and key information about the depression of the keygroup are inputted to the CPU 2001 through the input port 20061. Thetwo-color LED 2018 and the LCD 2013 of the operating part 2012 areconnected to the CPU 2001 through an output port 20062 of the operatingpart I/F 2006. The CPU 2001 controls the illumination of the two-colorLED 2018 and the display on the LCD 2013.

According to the present embodiment, an operating screen for settingeach function relating to the image formation in an individualdestination device selecting mode or an automatic destination deviceselecting mode is displayed. In the individual destination deviceselecting mode, the LCD 2013 is controlled in such a manner as todisplay, on the operating screen, only function information representingfunctions of the image forming device selected by the individualdestination device selecting mode with reference to previously-storedfunction information. In the automatic destination device selectingmode, logical sums are found with respect to the functions of each imageforming device with reference to the previously-stored functioninformation. The LCD 2013 is controlled in such a manner as to displayfunction information representing functions obtained from the foundlogical sums. By the inputting operation on the operating screen, thefunctions relating to the image formation are designated, and an imageprocessing device for executing the designated functions is selected.The displaying process on the operating screen is constructed by readingthe control program stored in the HDD 2004 by the CPU 2001.

As shown in FIG. 6, a function block for executing the operating screendisplaying process has an input determining part 3001 which calculatescoordinates corresponding to the depressed position on the operatingscreen displayed on the LCD 2013, i.e., the depressed position on thetouch panel 2019 and determines information indicated by the depressedposition on the touch panel 2019 according to the calculated coordinateswith reference to screen coordinate data 3005. For example, the inputdetermining part 3001 determines whether a destination device for theimage is designated or a command to display the paper size selectingscreen is given, according to the depressed position on the touch panel2019. The screen coordinate data 3005 is provided for each operatingscreen, and is stored in the HDD 2004.

Information representing the predetermined determination results of theinput determining part 3001 is inputted to a device informationdetermining part 3002.

When the destination device for the image is designated, the deviceinformation determining part 3002 determines that not the automaticdestination device selecting mode for automatically selecting thedestination device, but the individual destination device selecting modeis designated. According to the determination results, the deviceinformation determining part 3002 rewrites destination data 3006 andproduces destination device display screen information.

When the command to display the paper size selecting screen is given,the device information determining part 3002 reads the currently-setdestination device selecting mode from the destination data 3006, andreads device data about the destination device from device data 3010according to the currently-set destination device selecting mode,thereby producing paper selecting screen information corresponding tothe mode or the destination device. The destination data 3006 and thedevice data 3010 are stored in the HDD 2004.

The screen information produced by the device information determiningpart 3002 is inputted to a screen forming part 3003. The screen formingpart 3003 produces a display screen by combining the inputted screeninformation with actual screen data 3007. The produced display screen isdisplayed on the LCD 2013 under the control of a screen display controlpart 3004.

A device data updating part 3009 updates the device data 3010 to thenewest data whenever necessary. The device data updating part 3009acquires information from devices (remote devices) on the LAN 2011 and alocal device whenever necessary, and updates the device data 3010according to the acquired information. The remote devices correspond tothe image forming devices 220, 230, and the local device corresponds tothe image forming device 200. These image forming devices are registeredin advance.

According to the present embodiment, the control program for executingthe operating screen displaying process is stored in the HDD 2004, butthe control program may be stored in the ROM 2003 in advance or may besupplied from another storage medium.

Referring next to FIGS. 7-11, there will be described an example of thedisplay screen that is displayed as a result of the operating screendisplaying process for setting the functions relating to the imageformation. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of an initial operatingscreen displayed on the LCD 2013; FIG. 8 is a view showing an example ofa paper selecting screen displayed on the LCD 2013; FIG. 9 is a viewshowing an example of a destination device designating display screen;FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed in the casewhere a destination device is designated in the individual destinationdevice selecting mode; and FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of thepaper selecting screen corresponding to the destination devicedesignated in the individual destination device selecting mode.

Here, a description will be given of the case where the destinationdevice for the image inputted through the scanner 2070 is designated inthe image forming device 200. As shown in FIG. 7, the operating screenis displayed on the LCD 2013 of the operating part 2012 of the imageforming device 200. The operating screen shows an destination devicedesignating dialogue display key 4101 for displaying a dialogue thatdesignates which destination device should output the image inputtedfrom the scanner 2070 of the image forming device 200. On the operatingscreen, when an automatic destination device selecting mode is set as adefault or by a designating operation, described later, characterinformation “AUTO” indicating that the automatic destination deviceselecting mode is set is displayed on a designation device display part4102.

For example, when a paper selecting dialogue display key (Paper Select)4103 is depressed in order to designate a paper selection in theautomatic destination device selecting mode, a paper selecting dialogue4201 in FIG. 8 is displayed. In the paper selecting dialogue 4201, apaper selecting key is displayed correspondingly to the paper sizeacquired from logical sums of the sizes of the papers contained in thepaper cassettes in devices to which the image from the image formingdevice 200 may be outputted. In this case, the devices to which theimage from the image forming device 200 may be outputted are the printer2095 of the image forming device 200, a printer 2295 of the imageforming device 220, and a printer 2395 of the image forming device 230.If the paper sizes of the papers contained in the printer 2095 are A4,A5 and A3, the paper sizes of the printer 2295 are A4, A3 and A4R, andthe paper sizes of the printer 2395 are LTR, LTTR and LGR; the logicalsums of these paper sizes are found and paper selecting keys 4202, 4203corresponding to the paper sizes obtained from the found logical sumsare displayed.

Then, a user depresses a paper selecting key corresponding to a desiredpaper size among the paper selecting keys 4202, 4203 to thereby selectthe desired paper size without paying any attention to the destinationdevice. When the paper size is selected and a fixing key (Done) 4204 forfixing the paper size is depressed, the paper selecting dialogue 4201 isclosed and the selected paper size is fixed. Then, the image inputtedthrough the scanner 2070 is transferred to the image forming devicehaving a printer that contains paper in the fixed paper size in responseto depressing the start key 2014 (FIG. 4). The printer of the imageforming device, to which the image has been transferred, forms the imageon the paper in the designated size.

When the destination device designating dialogue display key 4101 isdepressed on the operating screen in FIG. 7, a destination devicedesignating dialogue 4301 in FIG. 9 is displayed. For example, a list ofdestination device designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304 is displayed inthe destination device designating dialogue 4301. The name, the status,the output performance, etc. of the destination devices are displayed inthe destination device designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304. Thedestination device designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304 have differentbackground colors so that the currently-selected destination device canbe distinguished from other destination devices.

The automatic designation device selecting mode setting key (Auto) 4305is also displayed in the destination device designating dialogue 4301.The automatic destination device selecting mode can be set and cancelledby depressing the automatic destination device selecting mode settingkey (Auto) 4305. When the automatic destination device selecting mode isset, the operating screen in FIG. 7 is displayed.

On the other hand, the individual designation device can be designatedby depressing the corresponding destination device designating fieldamong the destination device designating fields 4302, 4303, and 4304.When the destination device is designated by depressing one of thedestination device designating fields and an OK key 4306 for fixing thedesignated device is depressed, the destination device designatingdialogue 4301 is closed, and the destination device is fixed. If theautomatic destination device selecting mode is previously set, thesetting is cancelled. Then, an operating screen in FIG. 10 is displayed.As is the case with the operating screen in FIG. 7, a destination devicedesignating dialogue display key 4101 and a paper selecting dialoguedisplay key (Paper Select) 4103 are displayed on the operating screen,and information indicating the selected destination device is displayedon an output display part 4102. In this example, a remote device 1 (theimage forming device 220) is selected by depressing the destinationdevice designating field 4303 in FIG. 9, and character information“Remote 1” representing the selected remote device is displayed on theoutput display part 4102.

When the paper selecting dialogue display key (Paper Select) 4103 isdepressed on the operating screen in FIG. 10, a paper selecting dialogue4501 in FIG. 11 is displayed. The paper selecting dialogue 4501 displayspaper selecting keys 4502 corresponding to the sizes of papers containedin the paper cassettes of the destination device (in this case the imageforming device 220). The paper selecting dialogue 4501 also displaysinformation 4503 indicating a paper feeding section of the paper in theselected size. The paper feeding section, the residual amount, etc. ofthe paper is displayed in each paper selecting key 4502. The userdepresses a paper selecting key corresponding to a desired paper size inthe paper selecting keys 4502 for selecting the desired paper size anddepresses a fixing key (Done) 4504 in order to fix the selected papersize. Thus, the user can select the paper size on the paper selectingdialogue 4501 corresponding only to the designated destination device,and this improves the operability in the selection of the paper size.With the depression of the fixing key 4504, the paper selecting dialogue4501 is closed, and the selected paper size is fixed. Then, in responseto depressing the start key 2014, the image inputted through the scanner2070 is transferred to the image forming device 220 containing the paperin the fixed paper size, and the printer 2295 of the image formingdevice 220 to which the image has been transferred forms the image onthe paper in the designated size.

Referring next to FIG. 12, there will be described the operating screendisplaying process. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operating screendisplaying process of the image forming devices in FIG. 1.

The following description refers to operations related to or caused byoperation of keys which are concerned with the present invention, whiledescription of operations related to or caused by operation of the otherkeys is omitted.

First, the inputting operation through the touch panel 2019 on theoperating screen that is currently displayed is waited for in a stepS5001, and the process goes to a step S5002 upon the inputting operationthrough the touch panel 2019. In the step S5002, whether the automaticdestination device selecting mode is designated or not is determinedaccording to the depressed position on the currently-displayed operatingscreen (FIG. 9) through the touch panel 2019. If the automaticdestination device selecting mode is designated (“Auto” key 4305 isdepressed), the process goes to a step S5012 where the word “Auto”representing the automatic destination device selecting mode is writtenas the current destination device setting in the destination data 3006,and the currently-displayed operating screen is updated to the operatingscreen in FIG. 7. Then, the process returns to the step S5001. If theautomatic destination device selecting mode has not been designated, theprocess goes to a step S5003.

In the step S5003, according to the depressed position on thecurrently-displayed operating screen (FIG. 9) through the touch panel2019, it is determined whether the destination device is individuallyselected by depressing one of the destination device fields 4302, 4303,4304 and by depressing the “OK” key 4306. If the destination device isindividually selected, the process goes to a step S5013 whereinformation indicating the designated destination device is written asthe current destination device setting in the destination data 3006, andthe current operating screen is updated to the operating screen in FIG.10. Then, the process returns to the step S5001. If the destinationdevice is not designated, the process goes to a step S5004.

In the step S5004, it is determined whether the command to display thepaper selecting dialogue is given by depressing the paper selectingdialogue display key 4103 on the screen in FIG. 7 or 10 or not. If thecommand to display the paper selecting dialogue is not given, theprocess goes to a step S5014 where another operation such as closing theoperating screen is executed for the operating screen according to a keythat is depressed, and then the process returns to the step S5001. Ifthe display of the paper selecting dialogue is designated, the processgoes to a step S5005.

In the step S5005, the destination data 3006 is read, and it isdetermined whether “Auto” is designated as the current destinationdevice setting. If “Auto” is designated as the current destinationdevice setting, the process goes to a step S5007 where device data aboutall devices is read from the device data 3010. Then, the process goes toa step S5008 to find logical sums of the sizes of the papers containedin each device. In a next step S5009, display data for constituting thepaper selecting dialogue 4201 is read from the screen data 3007 in orderto represent the paper sizes obtained from the found logical sums. In astep S5010, the paper selecting keys 4202, 4203 of the display data forconstituting the paper selecting dialogue 4201 are changed into keysthat correspond to the paper sizes obtained from the found logical sumsin order to produce screen data.

Then, the process goes to a step S5011 where a screen corresponding tothe produced screen data is displayed on the LCD 2013, followed byterminating the process.

If “Auto” is not designated as the destination device setting, in otherwords, it is determined that the individual selection of the destinationdevice is designated in the step S5006, the process goes to a step S5015to read the device data about the designated destination device from thedevice data 3010. Then, the process goes to a step S5016 to read displaydata that constitutes the paper selecting dialogue 4501 from the screendata 3007. In a next step S5017, the paper selecting key 4502 of thedisplay data in the paper selecting dialogue 4501 is changed to keyscorresponding to the read paper sizes to thereby produce screen data.Then, the process goes to a step S5011 to display, on the LCD 2013, ascreen corresponding to the produced screen data, followed byterminating the process.

According to the present embodiment, when the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode for automatically selecting the destination deviceor the individual destination device selecting mode is designated, theoperation setting screen is changed according to the designateddestination device selecting mode. This significantly improves theoperability in setting the functions relating to the image formation inthe individual destination device selecting mode or in the automaticdestination device selecting mode.

Second Embodiment

Referring next to FIGS. 13-19, there will be described a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a function block for setting functions ofan image forming system according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an initializationscreen displayed on an LCD 2013 of the image forming system according tothe second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a viewshowing an example of a two-sided copying function setting dialoguedisplayed on the LCD 2013, FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of adisplay screen displayed on the LCD 2013 when a two-sided copyingfunction is set, FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a finishingfunction setting dialogue displayed on the LCD 2013, FIG. 18 is a viewshowing an example of a screen when the finishing function settingdialogue on the LCD 2013 is closed, and FIG. 19 is a flow chart showingthe procedure for displaying an operating screen of the image formingsystem according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment has basically the same structure as thepreviously-described first embodiment, and thus, the basic structure ofthe present embodiment will not be described hereinbelow. An operatingscreen displaying process for setting the functions relating to theimage formation is executed in the present embodiment. In the operatingscreen displaying process, if the automatic destination device selectingmode is designated, one of image forming device(s), that are able toexecute the function(s) set on the operating screen, is selectedaccording to priority information and device data 5010. Informationabout the selected image forming device is displayed on the operatingscreen.

As shown in FIG. 13, the function block for executing the operatingscreen displaying process has an input determining part 4001 forcalculating coordinates corresponding to the depressed position on anoperating screen displayed on the LCD 2013, i.e., the depressed positionon the touch panel 2019, and determining information indicated by thedepressed position on the touch panel 2019 according to the calculatedcoordinates with reference to screen coordinate data 4005. For example,the input determining part 4001 determines whether the destinationdevice for the image is designated or the command to display the papersize selecting screen is given according to the depressed position ofthe touch panel 2019. The screen coordinate data 4005 is provided foreach operating screen, and is stored in the HDD 2004.

Information representing the predetermined determination results of theinput determining part 4001 is inputted to a destination devicedetermining part 4002. The destination device determining part 4002selects a device that is able to realize the currently-designatedfunctions, according to the information representing the predetermineddetermination results of the input determining part 4001, destinationdata/function setting data 4006 and device data 4010 relating to thefunctions for each destination device. The destination data/functionsetting data 4006 include data indicative of priority of each device,data indicative of the currently-set data, and data specifying devicesthat are able to realize the currently-set functions. The destinationdata/function setting data 4006 and the device data 4010 are stored inthe HDD 2004.

Information indicating the destination device selected by thedestination device determining part 4002 is inputted to a screen formingpart 4003. The screen forming part 4003 produces a display screen bycombining the inputted information about the destination device andactual screen data 4007. The produced display screen is displayed on theLCD 2013 under the control of a screen display control part 4004.

A device data updating part 4009 updates the device data 4010 to thenewest data whenever necessary. The device data updating part 4009acquires information from the devices (remote devices) on the LAN 2011and the local device whenever necessary, and updates the device data4010 according to the acquired information. The remote devicescorrespond to the image forming devices 220, 230, and the local devicecorresponds to the image forming device 200.

Referring next to FIGS. 14-18, there will be described an example of thedisplay screen displayed as a result of the operating screen displayingprocess for setting the functions relating to the image formation in theautomatic destination device selecting mode.

Here, a description will be given of the case where the destinationdevice for the image inputted through the scanner 2070 is designated inthe image forming device 200. As shown in FIG. 14, the operating screenis displayed on the LCD 2013 of the operating part 2012 of the imageforming device 200, and the operating screen shows a destination devicedesignating dialogue display key 4101 for displaying a dialogue fordesignating a destination device that should output the image inputtedthrough the scanner 2070 of the image forming device 200. When theautomatic destination device selecting mode for automatically selectingand designating the destination device is set on the operating screen asa default or by a designating operation, described later, characterinformation “AUTO” representing the setting of the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is displayed at a destination device display part4112. Information indicating the currently-selected destination deviceis also displayed at the destination device display part 4112. In thepresent embodiment, information indicating that a device, which iscurrently selected as the destination device, is “local”, is displayedat the destination device display part 4112. The operating screen alsoshows a finishing function setting dialogue display key 4113 fordisplaying a dialogue for designating a process such as sorting andstapling with respect to paper outputted from the destination device,and a two-sided copying function setting dialogue display key 4114 fordisplaying a dialogue for designating a two-sided copy.

When the destination device designating dialogue display key 4101 isdepressed on the operating screen, a destination device designatingdialogue 4301 in FIG. 9 is displayed. For example, a list of destinationdevice designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304 is displayed in thedestination device designating dialogue 4301. The name, the status, theoutput performance, etc. of destination devices are written in thedestination device designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304. The destinationdevice designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304 have different backgroundcolors so that the currently-selected destination device can bedistinguished from the other devices. If the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode is set by operating a destination device automaticselecting mode setting key (Auto) 4305 and the currently-set functioncan be executed by the devices indicated in the destination devicedesignating fields 4302, 4303, 4304, the devices in the destinationdevice designating fields 4302, 4303, 4304 are displayed in order ofpriority from the top of the screen. Therefore, even if a plurality ofdevices are able to execute the same function, it is possible to easilyselect one device for executing the set function by prioritizing thedevices.

The following cases will now be described.

-   -   The local device (image forming device 200) cannot execute the        two-sided copying function or the finishing function.    -   The remote device 1 (image forming device 220) can execute the        two-sided copying function, but cannot execute the finishing        function.    -   The remote device 2 (image forming device 230) can execute both        the two-sided copying function and the finishing function.    -   The local device (image forming device 200), the remote device 1        (image forming device 220) and the remote device 2 take the        first, second and third priorities, respectively.

For example, a two-sided copying function setting dialogue 4311 in FIG.15 is displayed when a two-sided copying function setting dialoguedisplay key (Two-Sided Copy) 4114 is depressed in order to designate thetwo-sided copying function in the automatic destination device selectingmode. Keys 4312 for selecting a desired two-sided copying function amongplural kinds of two-sided copying functions and a key 4313 for fixingthe selected two-sided copying function are displayed in the two-sidedcopying function setting dialogue 4311.

If a key for designating the two-sided copying function for performing aprint from two sides to one side is depressed in the keys 4312 and thekey 4313 is depressed to fix the two-sided copying function forperforming the print from both sides to one side, the two-sided copyingfunction setting dialogue 4311 is closed so that a screen in FIG. 16 isdisplayed. On the screen, information indicating a device selected asthe destination device that is able to execute the currently-setfunction is displayed at the destination device display part 4112, andinformation indicating the selected two-sided copying function isdisplayed correspondingly to the two-sided copying function settingdialogue display key 4114. In this example, the remote device 1 (imageforming device 220) is selected to execute the selected two-sidedcopying function according to the function and the priority.

Then, if the finishing function setting dialogue display key 4113 isdepressed on the screen in FIG. 16, a finishing function settingdialogue 4511 in FIG. 17 for designating a process such as sorting andstapling with respect to paper outputted by the above-mentioned selectedtwo-sided copying function is displayed. Keys 4512 for selecting eachfinishing function and a key 4513 for fixing the selected finishingfunction are displayed in the finishing function setting dialogue 4511.

If a key for designating a sorting function (collate) with respect tothe outputted paper is depressed in the keys 4512 and then the key 4513is depressed to fix the sorting function, the finishing function settingdialogue 4511 is closed so that a screen in FIG. 18 is displayed. On thescreen, information indicating the device selected as a destinationdevice that is able to execute the currently-set function(s) isdisplayed at the destination device display part 4112, and informationindicating the selected sorting function is displayed correspondingly tothe finishing function setting dialogue display key 4113. In thisexample, the remote device 2 (the image forming device 230) is selectedaccording to the function(s) and the priority.

Referring next to FIG. 19, there will be described the operating screendisplaying process.

The following description refers to operations related to or caused byoperation of keys which are concerned with the present invention, whiledescription of operations related to or caused by operation of the otherkeys is omitted.

First, an inputting operation through the touch panel 2019 on thecurrently-displayed operating screen is waited for in a step S5101. Theautomatic destination device selecting mode has already been designatedbefore the display of the operating screen. Upon the inputting operationthrough the touch panel 2019, the process goes to a step S5102 todetermine whether the setting of the function is designated or notaccording to the depressed position on the touch panel 2019 on thecurrently-displayed operating screen (FIG. 15 or FIG. 17). If thesetting of the function is designated, the process goes to a step S5103to read data representing the designated function and read functionsetting data about the currently-set functions and priority informationabout devices from destination data/function setting data 4006.

Then, the process goes to a step S5104 where the device data of thedevice selected currently as the destination device is read from thedevice data 4010. In a next step S5015, it is determined whether thedesignated function can be set for the currently-selected device or not.If yes, the process goes to a step S5106.

In the step S5106, the currently-selected device is specified as thecurrently-selected device, and the destination data/function settingdata 4006 is rewritten so as to set the designated function. In a nextstep S5107, screen data for displaying the currently-selected device isread from the screen data 4007. Then, screen data as shown in FIG. 16 or18 is produced in a step S5108.

Then, the process goes to a step S5109 where the produced screen data isdisplayed on the LCD 2013, followed by terminating the process.

If it is determined in the step S5105 that the designated functioncannot be set for the currently-selected device, the process goes to astep S5110 to determine whether or not there is a next prospectivedestination device, which is the second highest in priority. If yes, theprocess goes to a step S5111 to read device data about the nextprospective destination device from the device data 4010. Then, theprocess goes to a step S5016 via the step S5105 where if the designatedfunction and the currently-set functions can be set for the nextprospective destination device, the destination data/function settingdata 4006 is rewritten so as to renew the currently-selected device.

In a next step S5107, screen data for displaying the prospectivedestination device is read from the screen data 4007. Then, the screendata in FIG. 16 or 18 is produced in the step S5108.

Then, the process goes to the step S5109 to display the produced screendata on the LCD 2013, followed by terminating the process.

If it is determined in the step S5110 that there is no next prospectivedestination device, the process goes to the step S5107 without rewritingdata representing the currently-selected device. At this time, a screen,which informs the user that there is no prospective destination deviceand the function cannot be set, is displayed although this is not shownin this example.

According to the present embodiment, if the automatic destination deviceselecting mode is designated, the image forming device that is able toexecute the function(s) set on the operating screen is selected as thedestination device according to the priority information, and theinformation about the selected image forming device is displayed on theoperating screen. This enables the user to set the function whileregularly confirming the destination device, and this significantlyimproves the operability in setting the functions relating to the imageformation in the automatic destination device selecting mode.

Third Embodiment

Referring next to FIGS. 20-25, there will be described a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a function block for setting functions ofan image forming system according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD 2013 of the image forming system according to thethird embodiment, FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a paperselecting screen displayed on the LCD 2013, FIG. 23 is a view showing anexample of a display screen displayed on the LCD 2013 when the two-sidedcopying function is set, FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of thepaper selecting screen displayed on the LCD 2013 when the two-sidedcopying function is set, and FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing theprocedure for displaying the operating screen of the image formingsystem according to the third embodiment.

The present embodiment has basically the same structure as thepreviously-described first embodiment, and the basic structure of thepresent embodiment will not be described hereinbelow. According to thepresent embodiment, if the automatic destination device selecting modeis designated, image forming device(s) that are able to execute thecurrently-set function(s) are sampled according to function informationof each device stored in advance. An operating screen displaying processfor displaying function information relating to the sampled imageforming device is performed in the present embodiment. When the functioninformation relating to the sampled destination image forming device(s)is displayed, it is only possible to designate the functions that can beexecuted by the sampled image forming device(s).

As shown in FIG. 20, the function block for executing the operatingscreen displaying process has an input determining part 5001, whichcalculates coordinates corresponding to the depressed position on theoperating screen displayed on the LCD 2013, i.e., the depressed positionon the touch panel 2019, and which determines information indicated bythe depressed position on the touch panel 2019 according to thecalculated coordinates with reference to screen coordinate data 5005.For example, the input determining part 5001 determines whether adestination device for the image is designated or a command to display apaper size selecting screen is given according to the depressed positionon the touch panel 2019. The screen coordinate data 5005 is provided foreach operating screen, and is stored in the HDD 2004.

Information indicating the predetermined determination results of theinput determining part 5001 is inputted to a destination deviceinformation determining part 5002. The destination device informationdetermining part 5002 retrieves device(s) that are able to execute thecurrently-set function(s) according to the information indicating thepredetermined determination results of the input determining part 5001,destination data function setting data 5006 and device data 5010 aboutthe functions for each destination device. The destination deviceinformation determining part 5002 also recognizes the function(s) thatcan be set for the retrieved device(s). The destination data/functionsetting data 5006 and the device data 5010 are stored in the HDD 2004.

Information indicating the destination device(s) retrieved by thedestination device information determining part 5002 and the function(s)that can be set is inputted to a screen forming part 5003. The screenforming part 5003 produces a display screen by combining informationindicating the inputted destination device(s) and the function(s) thatcan be set and actual screen data 5007. The produced display screen isdisplayed on the LCD 2013 under the control of a screen display controlpart 5004.

A device data updating part 5009 updates the device data 5010 to thenewest data whenever necessary. The device data updating part 5009acquires information from the devices (remote devices) on the LAN 2011and the local device whenever necessary, and updates the device data5010 according to the acquired information. The remote devicescorrespond to the image forming devices 220, 230, and the local devicecorresponds to the image forming device 200.

Referring next to FIGS. 21-24, there will be described an example of thedisplay screen displayed as a result of an operating screen displayingprocess for setting the functions relating to the image formation in theautomatic destination device selecting mode.

Here, a description will be given of the case where the destinationdevice for the image inputted through the scanner 2070 is designated inthe image forming device 200. As shown in FIG. 21, the operating screenis displayed on the LCD 2013 of the operating part 2012 of the imageforming device 200, and the operating screen shows a destination devicedesignating dialogue display key 4101 for displaying a dialogue fordesignating a destination device that should output the image inputtedthrough the scanner 2070 of the image forming device 200. When theautomatic destination device selecting mode for automatically selectingand designating the destination device is set on the operating screen asa default or by a designating operation described with respect to thefirst embodiment, character information “AUTO” representing the settingof the automatic destination device selecting mode is displayed at adestination device display part 4112. Information indicating thecurrently-selected destination device is also displayed at thedestination device display part 4112. In this example, informationindicating that a device, which is currently selected as the destinationdevice, is “local” is displayed at the destination device display part4112. The operating screen also shows a paper selecting dialogue displaykey 4103 for designating paper, and the two-sided copying functionsetting dialogue display key 4114 for displaying the dialogue fordesignating the two-sided copy.

If, for example, the paper selecting dialogue display key 4103 isdepressed in order to designate the paper selection in the automaticdestination device selecting mode, a paper selecting dialogue displaykey 4103 in FIG. 22 is displayed. The paper selecting dialogue 4321displays paper selecting keys corresponding to paper sizes obtained fromthe logical sums of the sizes of papers contained in the paper cassettesof devices that are able to output the image inputted from the imageforming device 200. The devices that are able to output the image fromthe image forming device 200 are the image forming device 200, the imageforming device 220 and the image forming device 230. The logical sums ofthe paper sizes of these image forming devices are found and paperselecting keys 4322, 4323 corresponding to the paper sizes obtained fromthe found logical sums are displayed.

By depressing one of the paper selecting keys 4322, 4323, whichcorresponds to a desired paper size in the paper selecting key, the usercan select the desired paper selecting key without paying any attentionto the destination device. On the selection of the paper size, when apaper size fixing key (Done) 4324 is depressed, the paper selectingdialogue 4321 is closed and the selected paper size is fixed. Then, inresponse to depressing the start key 2014, the image inputted throughthe scanner 2070 is transferred to the image forming device that has theprinter containing paper the fixed paper size. The printer of the imageforming device, to which the image has been transferred, forms the imageon the paper in the designated size.

The following cases will now be described.

-   -   The two-sided copying function or the finishing function cannot        be set for the local device (image forming device 200).    -   The two-sided copying function can be set for the remote device        2 (image forming device 220), but the finishing function cannot        be set for the remote device 2.    -   Both the two-sided copying function and the finishing function        can be set for the remote device 2 (image forming device 230).    -   The local device (image forming device 200), the remote device 1        (image forming device 220) and the remote device 2 (image        forming device 230) take the first, second and third priorities,        respectively.

For example, the two-sided copying function setting dialogue 4311 inFIG. 15 is displayed when the two-sided copying function settingdialogue display key (Two-Sided Copy) 4114 is depressed in order todesignate the two-sided copying function in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode. If the key for designating the two-sided copyingfunction for performing a print from two sides to one side is depressedin the keys 4312 and the key 4313 is depressed, the two-sided copyingfunction for printing from both sides to one side is fixed. Then, thetwo-sided copying function setting dialogue 4311 is closed so that ascreen in FIG. 23 is displayed. On the screen, information indicating adevice selected as the destination device that is able to execute thecurrently-selected function and has the highest priority is displayed atthe destination device display part 4112, and information indicating theselected two-sided copying function is displayed correspondingly to thetwo-sided copying function setting dialogue display key 4114. The paperselecting dialogue display key 4103 is also displayed on the screen. Inthis example, the remote device 1 (image forming device 220) is selectedto execute the selected two-sided copying function according to thefunction and the priority.

Then, if the paper selecting dialogue display key 4103 is depressed onthe screen in FIG. 23, the screen is closed so that a screen in FIG. 24for selecting the paper size to be outputted by the selected two-sidedcopying function is displayed. On the screen in FIG. 24, the paperselecting keys 4322, 4323 are displayed in the same arrangement as onthe screen in FIG. 22. Since the destination devices, for which thetwo-sided copying function can be set, are the remote device 1 (imageforming device 220) and the remote device 2 (image forming device 230),the logical sums of paper sizes of these devices are found, and only thepaper selecting keys corresponding to the paper sizes obtained from thefound logical sums are displayed in such a manner that they can beselected.

More specifically, the paper selecting keys corresponding to the papersizes A4R, A3, A5, B4, LTR and LGL that can be selected by the remotedevices 1, 2 are displayed in such a manner that they can be selected,and the paper selecting keys corresponding to A4 and A5R are displayedin such a manner that they cannot be selected.

Referring next to FIG. 25, there will be described the operating screendisplaying process. First, an inputting operation through the touchpanel 2019 on the currently-displayed operating screen is waited for ina step S5201. The automatic destination device selecting mode hasalready been selected before the display of the operating screen. Uponthe inputting operation through the touch panel 2019, the process goesto a step S5202 to determine whether there is a command to set thefunction according to the depressed position on the touch panel 2019 onthe currently-displayed operating screen. If there is the command to setthe function, the process goes to a step S5210 to set the designatedfunction and update destination device data/function setting data 5006.In a next step S5211, device(s) that are able to execute the setfunction(s) are searched out, and data indicating the searched-outdevices is stored in the destination data/function setting data 5006.Then, the process returns to the step S5201.

If it is determined in the step S5202 that there is no command to setthe function, the process goes to a step S5203 to determine whetherthere is a command to display the paper selecting dialogue. If there isno command to display the paper selecting dialogue, the process returnsto the step S5201. If there is the command to display the paperselecting dialogue, the process goes to a step S5204 to read the datarepresenting prospective destination device(s) that are able to executethe currently-set function(s) from the destination data/function settingdata 5006. Then, paper data about the prospective destination device(s)is read from the device data 5010. In a next step S5205, screen data ofthe paper selecting dialogue is read from screen data 5070.

Then, the process goes to a step S5206 to determine whether theprospective destination device(s) have the paper corresponding to thepaper size selecting key displayed in the paper selecting dialogue. Ifthe prospective destination device(s) have the paper corresponding tothe paper size selecting key displayed in the paper selecting dialogue,the process goes to a step S5207 to validate this paper size selectingkey, i.e. set the paper size selecting key in such a manner that it canbe selected. If the prospective destination device(s) do not have thepaper corresponding to the paper size selecting key displayed in thepaper selecting dialogue, the process goes to a step S5212 to invalidatethe paper size selecting key that does not correspond to the paper inthe prospective destination device(s), i.e. set the paper size selectingkey in such a manner that it cannot be selected.

When the displayed paper size selecting key is validated or invalidatedas mentioned above, the process goes to a step S5208 to determinewhether all paper size selecting keys have already been validated orinvalidated. If all paper size selecting keys have not yet beenvalidated or invalidated, the process returns to the step S5206 again.If all paper size selecting keys have already been validated orinvalidated, the process goes to a step S5209 to display the paperselecting dialogue including the paper size selecting keys according tothe above setting, followed by terminating the process.

In the present embodiment, if the automatic destination device selectingmode is designated, the image forming device as the destination devicethat is able to execute the currently-set function(s) is sampledaccording to the function information registered in advance. Theinformation about the functions relating to the image formation of thesampled image forming device(s) is displayed on the operating screen,and only the functions that can be executed by the destination imageforming device(s) are made settable when the information about thesampled destination image forming device(s) is displayed. This makes itpossible to recognize the functions that cannot be set according to thecombination of the functions, thus avoiding incorrect setting or thelike. This significantly improves the operability in setting thefunctions relating to the image formation in the automatic destinationdevice selecting mode.

It is to be understood that the present invention may also be realizedby supplying a system or an apparatus with a storage medium in which theprogram code of software that realizes the functions of the abovedescribed operations (for example, the operations as shown in FIGS. 6 to25, etc.) of the present embodiments is recorded, and causing a computer(or CPU, MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out and execute theprogram code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read out from the storage mediumrealizes the above described functions of the present embodiments, sothat the storage medium storing the program code also constitutes thepresent invention.

Although the first to third embodiments have been described above asbeing separate from each other, they may be appropriately combinedtogether.

The storage medium for supplying the program code may be selected from,for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-opticaldisk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, and ROM.

The functions of the above described embodiments may be accomplished notonly by executing a program code read by a computer, but also by causingan operating system (OS) that operates on the computer, to perform apart or the whole of the actual operations according to instructions ofthe program code.

Furthermore, the program code read out from the storage medium may bewritten into a memory provided in an expanded board inserted in thecomputer, or an expanded unit connected to the computer, and a CPU, orthe like, provided in the expanded board or expanded unit may actuallyperform a part or all of the operations according to the instructions ofthe program code, so as to accomplish the functions of the abovedescribed embodiments.

1. An image forming system which includes a plurality of image formingdevices each having a reading unit adapted to read an image on amanuscript, and connected through communication path, wherein one of animage forming device and at least one remote image forming device amongsaid plurality of image forming devices can be selected as a destinationdevice for formation of an image read by said reading unit of the imageforming device, each image forming device comprising: a display unitadapted to display a list of device names of the image forming deviceand the remote image forming device in a screen, the list being used fordesignating one of the image forming device and the remote image formingdevice as a destination device for formation of an image read by saidreading unit; a selecting unit adapted to select the destination deviceaccording to a user's operation, on the screen in which the list isdisplayed by the display unit, for designating one of the image formingdevice and the remote image forming device; a transmitting unit adaptedto transmit the image read by said reading unit through thecommunication path to the remote image forming device, in a case thatthe remote image forming device is selected as the destination device bysaid selecting unit; and an image forming unit adapted to form the imageread by said reading unit, in a case that the image forming device isselected as the destination device by said selecting unit.
 2. An imageforming system according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displaysthe list in such a manner as to distinguish the image forming device andthe at least one remote image forming device from each other.
 3. Animage forming system according to claim 1, wherein the device names ofthe image forming device and the remote image forming device in the listare displayed according to priorities given respectively to the imageforming device and the remote image forming device.
 4. An image formingsystem according to claim 3, wherein the device names of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device in the list aredisplayed in order from a top of the list according to priorities givenrespectively to the image forming device and the remote image formingdevice.
 5. An image forming system according to claim 1, wherein saiddisplay unit displays the list in such a manner as to display statusesof the image forming device and the remote image forming device inassociation with the device names of the image forming device and theremote image forming device.
 6. An image forming system according toclaim 1, wherein said display unit displays the list in such a manner asto display output performance of the image forming device and the remoteimage forming device in association with the device names of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device.
 7. An image formingsystem which includes a plurality of image forming devices each having areading unit adapted to read an image on a manuscript, and connectedthrough communication path, wherein one of an image forming device andat least one remote image forming device among said plurality of imageforming devices can be selected as a destination device for formation ofan image read by said reading unit of the image forming device, eachimage forming device comprising: a display unit adapted to display alist of device names of the image forming device and the remote imageforming device, the list being used for designating one of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device as a destinationdevice for formation of an image read by said reading unit; a selectingunit adapted to select the destination device according to a operation,from a user who see the list, for designating one of the image formingdevice and the remote image forming device; a transmitting unit adaptedto transmit the image read by said reading unit through thecommunication path to the remote image forming device, in a case thatthe remote image forming device is selected as the destination device bysaid selecting unit; and an image forming unit adapted to form the imageread by said reading unit, in a case that the image forming device isselected as the destination device by said selecting unit.
 8. An imageforming system according to claim 7, wherein said display unit displaysthe list in such a manner as to distinguish the image forming device andthe at least one remote image forming device from each other.
 9. Animage forming system according to claim 7, wherein the device names ofthe image forming device and the remote image forming device in the listare displayed according to priorities given respectively to the imageforming device and the remote image forming device.
 10. An image formingsystem according to claim 9, wherein the device names of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device in the list aredisplayed in order from a top of the list according to priorities givenrespectively to the image forming device and the remote image formingdevice.
 11. An image forming system according to claim 7, wherein saiddisplay unit displays the list in such a manner as to display statusesof the image forming device and the remote image forming device inassociation with the device names of the image forming device and theremote image forming device.
 12. An image forming system according toclaim 7, wherein said display unit displays the list in such a manner asto display output performance of the image forming device and the remoteimage forming device in association with the device names of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device.
 13. An image formingdevice connectable to at least one remote image forming device throughcommunication path, comprising: a reading unit adapted to read an imageon a manuscript; a display unit adapted to display a list of devicenames of the image forming device and the remote image forming device ina screen, the list being used for designating one of the image formingdevice and the remote image forming device as a destination device forformation of an image read by said reading unit; a selecting unitadapted to select the destination device according to a user'soperation, on the screen in which the list is displayed by the displayunit, for designating one of the image forming device and the remoteimage forming device; a transmitting unit adapted to transmit the imageread by said reading unit through the communication path to the remoteimage forming device, in a case that the remote image forming device isselected as the destination device by said selecting unit; and an imageforming unit adapted to form the image read by said reading unit, in acase that the image forming device is selected as the destination deviceby said selecting unit.
 14. An image forming device according to claim13, wherein said display unit displays the list in such a manner as todistinguish the image forming device and the at least one remote imageforming device from each other.
 15. An image forming device according toclaim 13, wherein the device names of the image forming device and theremote image forming device in the list are displayed according topriorities given respectively to the image forming device and the remoteimage forming device.
 16. An image forming device according to claim 15,wherein the device names of said image forming device in the list aredisplayed in order from a top of the list according to priorities givenrespectively to the image forming device and the remote image formingdevice.
 17. An image forming device according to claim 13, wherein saiddisplay unit controls said display unit in such a manner as to displaystatuses of the image forming device and the remote image forming devicein association with the device names of the image forming device and theremote image forming device.
 18. An image forming device according toclaim 13, wherein said display unit displays the list in such a manneras to display output performance of said image forming devices inassociation with the device names of the image forming device and theremote image forming device.
 19. An image forming device connectable toat least one remote image forming device through communication path,comprising: a reading unit adapted to read an image on manuscript; adisplay unit adapted to display a list of device names of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device, the list being usedfor designating one of the image forming device and the remote imageforming device as a destination device for formation of an image read bysaid reading unit; a selecting unit adapted to select the destinationdevice according to a operation, from a user who see the list, fordesignating one of the image forming device and the remote image formingdevice; a transmitting unit adapted to transmit the image read by saidreading unit through the communication path to the remote image formingdevice, in a case that the remote image forming device is selected asthe destination device by said selecting unit; and an image forming unitadapted to form the image read by said reading unit, in a case that theimage forming device is selected as the destination device by saidselecting unit.
 20. An image forming device according to claim 19,wherein said display unit displays the list in such a manner as todistinguish the image forming device and the at least one remote imageforming device from each other.
 21. An image forming device according toclaim 19, wherein the device names of the image forming device and theremote image forming device in the list are displayed according topriorities given respectively to the image forming device and the remoteimage forming device.
 22. An image forming device according to claim 21,wherein the device names of the image forming device and the remoteimage forming device in the list are displayed in order from a top ofthe list according to priorities given respectively to the image formingdevice and the remote image forming device.
 23. An image forming deviceaccording to claim 19, wherein said display unit displays the list insuch a manner as to display statuses of the image forming device and theremote image forming device in association with the device names of theimage forming device and the remote image forming device.
 24. An imageforming device according to claim 19, wherein said display unit displaysthe list in such a manner as to display output performance of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device in association withthe device names of the image forming device and the remote imageforming device.
 25. An image forming method of an image forming deviceconnectable to at least one remote image forming device throughcommunication path, comprising: a reading step of reading an image on amanuscript; a displaying step of displaying a list of device names ofthe image forming device and the remote image forming device in ascreen, the list being used for designating one of the image formingdevice and the remote image forming device as a destination device forformation of an image read in said reading step; a selecting step ofselecting the destination device according to a user's operation, on thescreen in which the list is displayed in said displaying step, fordesignating one of the image forming device and the remote image formingdevice; a transmitting step of transmitting the image read in saidreading step through the communication path to the remote image formingdevice, in a case that the remote image forming device is selected asthe destination device in said selecting step; and an image forming stepof forming the image read by said reading step, in a case that the imageforming device is selected as the destination device in said selectingstep.
 26. An image forming method of an image forming device connectableto at least one remote image forming device through communication path,comprising: a reading step of reading an image on manuscript; adisplaying step of displaying a list of device names of the imageforming device and the remote image forming device, the list being usedfor designating one of the image forming device and the remote imageforming device as a destination device for formation of an image read insaid reading step; a selecting step of selecting the destination deviceaccording to an operation, from a user who see the list, for designatingone of the image forming device and the remote image forming device; atransmitting step of transmitting the image read in said reading stepthrough the communication path to the remote image forming device, in acase that the remote image forming device is selected as the destinationdevice in said selecting step; and an image forming step of forming theimage read in said reading step, in a case that the image forming deviceis selected as the destination device in said selecting step.